The National Weather Service has now confirmed that there were 6 tornados that moved across Minnesota on September 20 causing extensive damage to some locations.A line of thunderstorms developed the evening of September 19th across the eastern Dakotas and moved into western Minnesota before midnight of September 20th. Severe thunderstorms developed in west central and parts of central Minnesota producing large hail, downbursts and six tornadoes. This line of thunderstorms slowly weakened as it moved into far eastern Minnesota, with general, non-severe thunderstorms as the line progressed into West Central Wisconsin after 3 am CDT.

Tornado #5 and #6 hit our area during the overnight storm.

Tornado #5Stearns County near Elrosa

Date

9/20/2017

Time (Local)

12:46 AM – 12:56 AM CDT

EF Rating

EF-1

Est. Peak Winds

95 mph

Path Length

9.2 miles

Max Width

440 yards

Injuries/Deaths

None

Summary:

This tornado touched down in a field and soon hit a farm, destroying several outbuildings. It moved through numerous fields, and hit three more farms and destroyed more sheds.

Tornado #6Todd County north of Burtrum, west of Swanville

Date

9/20/2017

Time (Local)

1:04 AM – 1:11 AM CDT

EF Rating

EF-1

Est. Peak Winds

95 mph

Path Length

6.8 miles

Max Width

440 yards

Injuries/Deaths

None

Summary:

This tornado touched down just east of Big Swan Lake, where it hit one house, then moved across the northern end of Long Lake, hitting more homes, then after moving over fields and woods, hit the eastern end of Little Swan Lake, including the
community of Pillsbury. More homes were damaged, including one that was pushed off its foundation. After leaving Pillsbury, the tornado moved through more fields and woods. It dissipated just as it reached the Todd-Morrison County line, about two miles north of Swanville. Downburst damage hit Swanville and areas north of Swanville.

Ironically, Melrose wasn’t classified as a tornado in spite of the extensive damage south of I-94.